• aulin@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    One apartment I lived in was rented out by a private landlord, and there we had the option to write a personal letter/application which would allow us to skip the queue if we matched what they were looking for. We had just become a family of three and they wanted more families with children so we were approved. That was completely voluntary though. In honesty, I think it’s kind of weird that we could jump the queue but we were no longer allowed to live in my student apartment so we jumped on it.

    • AeonFelis@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      That was completely voluntary though

      The problem with power imbalances is that they allow enforcing “completely voluntary” practices.

      • aulin@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        I know. That’s why I said it’s a bit weird that we could skip the queue. On the other hand, the fact that decades long queue times are necessary instead of more, affordable housing being built is also a problem.